Trial operations on Beijing's maglev line to start

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Beijing's first medium-low speed maglev line, which is now under no-load trial running, is expected to start trial operations by the end of this year.

The 10.2-km S1 line will connect the Chinese capital's western suburban districts of Mentougou and Shijingshan.

Eight stations, all elevated, have been built, with a maximum designed train speed of 100 km per hour, said Wang Ping, general manager of the Beijing Maglev Corporation.

The line is expected to transport 160,000 people every day, with a capacity of around 1,000 passengers per six-car train, Wang said.

A train of Beijing's first medium-low speed maglev line in a test run, October 16, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Using magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground, a maglev line removes vibration and friction between train wheels and the rail track.

Multiple tests have confirmed that the electromagnetic fields of the maglev line operation meet ICNIRP guidelines for electromagnetic field exposure, a widely-accepted standard recommended by the World Health Organization, according to the operator.

The line is expected to transport 160,000 people every day. /Xinhua Photo

The maglev line will be the first rail transit line in Mentougou District, which will greatly ease traffic congestion on roads connecting the district and the city center.

Shanghai has the world's first commercial maglev system, running between the downtown business district and Pudong international airport.

The German-made maglev went into operation on December 31, 2002.

China's first medium-low speed maglev line started operation in May 2016 in Changsha, central Hunan Province.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency